MP Shiyam Files Emergency Motion Regarding UTF Agreement

MP Ahmed Shiyam (Naifaru), PPM Vice President, filed an emergency motion to the Majlis. The motion called for disclosure of important details pertaining to the Uthuru Thila Falhu agreement that had been signed between the Maldivian government and India.

MP Shiyam had said that even though the UTF agreement was related to national security, the agreement had been drawn up with neither the consultation nor approval of the Majlis.

The motion read that the government has refused to disclose the number of the Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives; nor has the government disclosed the cost incurred by the State for the lodging and accommodation of the Indian military personnel.

Furthermore, the motion read that it is true that former President Yameen Abdul Gayyoom had decided to develop a Coast Guard dockyard and harbour at Uthuru Thila Falhu. It added that even though the Yameen administration did discuss its development with India, the terms proposed by the aspiring superpower posed a risk to national security. It was for this reason that no agreement was ever made regarding UTF by the Yameen administration, the motion read.

The agreement had been designed to permit a permanent stationing of Indian military personnel at UTF, MP Shiyam had written. The words "officials" and "technicians" had been chosen instead of "military personnel" to avoid seeking the consultation and unanimous approval of the Majlis as per Article 251 (c) of the Constitution. The article prohibits giving any part of the Maldives for the military use of a foreign country without the unanimous approval of the Majlis.

MP Shiyam had also called for the disclosure of several financial agreements made between the Maldives and India, as well.

MP Ali Azim (Mid-Henveiru) had responded to MP Shiyam claiming that the High Court had ruled that such agreements need not be disclosed. However, this claim is untrue and Dhiyares had lodged a case with the High Court regarding such an agreement.